Picking the Best Probiotic

Related Topics

Think you might want to swallow live bugs? No, it’s not a reality show stunt, it’s actually something you might want to do if you have digestive problems, such as lactose intolerance or diarrhea after using antibiotics. These “good bugs” are probiotic bacteria—also known as beneficial bacteria—that live in your gut and contribute to your everyday health and well-being.

SUPPLEMENT: Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS)

USED FOR: Indigestion and prevention of eczema

ACTION: A “prebiotic,” which is a source of food for friendly bacteria in the gut

HOW TO TAKE: 2,000 to 3,000 mg per day with meals, reduce dosage if you experience gas

Love That Bug

Active-culture yogurt provides probiotic bacteria, as does kefir (drinkable yogurt), cottage cheese, and some milks; there are even snack bars on the market, such as Attune bars and Lifeway Kefir Wellness Bars, with probiotic bacteria. Probiotic dietary supplements are available as powder, capsules, tablets, chewables, gummies, and liquid.

Probiotic gummies are a great option for kids. You can use these tasty treats to add probiotics into your child’s daily routine, or to help her take probiotics after a bout of diarrhea due to antibiotics or infection. Look for a product without artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, and no more than 4 grams of sugar per serving.

STRAIN:Bifidobacterium lactis

USED FOR: Diarrhea (post-antibiotic and traveler’s)

ACTION: Restores gut microflora

HOW TO TAKE: 1 to 3 billion live organisms per day or follow label directions. Start before antibiotic use and continue afterwards for as many days as the antibiotics were used or start a few days before a trip and continue daily during travel.

HOW TO TAKE: 1 billion live organisms per day or follow label directions. Another yeast infection option: insert capsule as a vaginal suppository or apply active-culture yogurt daily to the vagina for up to two weeks (and once a week for prevention).

HOW TO TAKE: 1 billion live organisms per day or follow label directions.

STRAIN: Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1

USED FOR: Lactose intolerance

ACTION: Produces lactase to digest lactose (milk sugar)

HOW TO TAKE: 1 billion live organisms per day or follow label directions.

STRAIN: Lactobacillus casei

USED FOR: Diarrhea (post-antibiotic and traveler’s)

ACTION: Replenishes healthy gut flora

HOW TO TAKE: 1 to 3 billion live organisms per day or follow label directions. Start before antibiotic use and continue afterwards for as many days as the antibiotics were used or start a few days before a trip and continue daily during travel.

HOW TO TAKE: 1 to 3 billion live organisms per day for adults or follow label directions; kids age 6 to 12 can take one-half of the adult dose and for under age 6 years old, take one-fourth of the adult dose. Start before antibiotic use and continue afterwards for as many days as the antibiotics were used or start a few days before a trip and continue daily during travel.

STRAIN: Lactobacillus plantarum 299v

USED FOR: Irritable bowel syndrome or other digestive upset leading to pain, gas, bloating, and diarrhea

ACTION: Balances gut flora and inhibits growth of unhealthy bacteria

HOW TO TAKE: 10 to 20 billion live organisms per day or follow label directions.

HOW TO TAKE: 1 to 3 billion live organisms per day or follow label directions. Start before antibiotic use and continue afterwards for as many days as the antibiotics were used or start a few days before a trip and continue daily during travel.